[QUOTE=Matchu;11042924]
Big effort from big Jonesie and would love to see him make a final here but Yuichi Sugita should be too good for him not to mention he is probably fatigued now as well.

Played each other once b4 (Burnie 2010) and Jonesie got up 3&3, so has a chance here. As Matchu said though, fatigue could play a part if it is a long match, but Jonesie is tough and has the ticker.
Good luck to him

To my surprise Jonesie pulls out the win over Sugita 6-3 3-6 7-5. This will be Greg's first challenger final since Burnie in '07 so it has been a long time between drinks but I feel Greg is much more ready now. Dudi Sela will be his opponent in the final and I would say if Greg can use his height to his advantage (I believe Dudi is only around 5'9) then he could be in with a chance, just needs to serve well.

A win here for Greg would be massive and can certainly set him up nicely for the Grass season and a lead in to the US summer. Don't be under any illusions though, a win over Dudi Sela would require a massive effort.

I think Sela will win, he's in shape too! But you're right, if Greg's serve works this can be very close... in the last few matches Greg beat his opponents after grueling battles so I think he is mentally tough. However, finals are always something else than the other matches... wonder if his head will hold.

I think Sela will win, he's in shape too! But you're right, if Greg's serve works this can be very close... in the last few matches Greg beat his opponents after grueling battles so I think he is mentally tough. However, finals are always something else than the other matches... wonder if his head will hold.

Yeah you're right, he doesn't have the best record in finals either (RG juniors loss, Burnie loss, futures finals losses). I watched Greg in two of his three matches at the Australian Open qualifying this year and he was certainly mentally strong. His main objective is to hold serve and that is how he builds confidence.

If someone gets an early break on him 9 times out of 10 he will lose that set but with a few holds of serve under his belt he plays much better on the receiving end. I'd love to see him get up but I think Sela will be just too classy for him. Then again I said that about Sugita and he beat him so hopefully I am proven wrong again!

Too much tennis this week and solid tennis from Dudi Sela takes it's toll on Jonesie, who had nothing left in the tank after four mentally and physically draining long 3-set matches, and Sela wins the final in two quick set 62 61.
A good showing from Jonesie this week in getting to the final but needs to play less tennis getting there. He is still suffering from an injury to his left leg which is taking time to heal. He should rise about 40 places in ranking to 215-220, which will leave him well placed for the rest of the year.
Well done Dudi Sela in winning back-to-back Challenger titles in the last two weeks, which will see him back in the top 100.